Our Father said, “Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24). God is good!

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened… If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11).

How should we ask?  With confidence. How should we seek? Earnestly. How should we knock? With perseverance and confidence. “Father, I believe in Your Word. I believe that Your Word is true, and I expect to receive an answer from You.”

Imagine your children asking you to buy them some ice cream. What happens when you give your child an ice cream treat? They are so happy and so grateful; they eat it with such great pleasure. They have ice cream on their face and hands and it is dripping on their shirt, but they are so happy because they are loving that ice cream. How do you as a parent feel then? “My babies are so happy and grateful. I will buy them something yummy again!” Isn’t that right?

Our heavenly Father is just as happy to answer our prayers! He tells His children, “Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” John 16:24). He tells us, “Ask that your joy may be full. I want to bless you. I want to help you. All you need to do is ask Me.” God wants us, His children, to rejoice in the same way a child rejoices when he receives something from his parents!

Persistently and weekly a bishop from Krivoy Rog, Ukraine phoned us requesting a visit and the opportunity to work together. Seeing their unwavering vision and determination, we consented to the appeal. The joy, hunger and sacrifice with which they received the Word of God made the effort and resources needed to reach them completely worth it.

Due to the military confilict, I was unable to fly directly as I normally would have but was required to route through Austria, entering Ukraine through a ‘back door.’ Thankfully, the most danger I faced was the white-knuckled trip from the airport dodging cars from all directions as we navigated countless immense potholes from 30 years of neglect.

Was it worth it? Absolutely! Lives were ignited and leaders established during nights of revelation and healing equal to Africa. The Lord has visited the Ukraine again! It continues to be a spiritual breadbasket to the world in the midst of its own great need.

God has not abandoned us, but He has sent Jesus to every family, every home, and every person. God is our help. No matter what your problem is or what it is that you need, God sent His Son Jesus so that you and I could receive life.

Matthew 18:20 promises that where two or three are gathered together in His name He is there in our midst. When the Word is preached, His presence is preached, and His presence fills the atmosphere around us.

In Luke 4 Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, to declare freedom for the prisoners….” Mark 16 says that He sends us to do the same thing!

According to Colossians 1:27, when you are born again Christ now lives in you. So, where is the presence of God? I’m not looking forward over here, or looking backward over there, or begging for it up there. I am relishing the abundance and living in the glory of His love and His life and His Spirit in me right now. I come boldly to His throne of grace and receive what I have need of from Him. I recognize that He lives in me, I live in Him, and His presence surrounds me.

Everywhere you go, God goes, because He authorizes us as His followers to go in His name. He says to us, “I’m on a journey with you. I’ll never leave you, I’ll never forsake you, and wherever you go I am ready to go with you.”

God always has a plan for you. He will never give up on you. He gave His very best for you, and He desires for you to experience all that He has for you!

When you are born of God and carry His Spirit in you, you consider things with an eternal viewpoint. You value things that others might consider foolish. Celebrate your difference!